FLOODING DUE TO STORM SURGE
Storm surge that carries water inland due to high winds and elevated sea levels (storm tides).
Independent of extreme precipitation events, flooding caused by storm surge has also disrupted life in the Point Neighborhood. Storm surge occurs when storm winds push the elevated ocean water toward the coastline. Storm surges can be quite powerful and damaging to buildings along the coast and often affect the accessibility of evacuation routes. Storm surges can reach quite far inland and their extent will only increase with rising sea levels.
FLOODING DUE TO SEA LEVEL RISE Sea level rise is caused by warming global temperatures, melting ice sheets, and the expansion of warmer ocean waters. Sea level rise poses a longterm threat to the viability of the Point Neighborhood.
Flooding at 74 Bridge Street the day after Hurricane Sandy (2012) and lunar high tide. Flooding was caused by a storm surge from the ocean that came up through portions of the storm drain system that did not have tide gates installed. Photo: T. Hockaday
Historical data indicates that the rate of sea level rise is increasing. As of January 26, 2016 the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council adopted NOAA’s high-model projections for sea level rise. The high model projects 1 foot of sea level rise by 2035, 3 feet of sea level rise by 2065, and close to 7 feet of sea level rise by 2100. While it is not clear what the exact sea levels will be in the future, it is clear that sea level rise will have a permanent impact on our way of life. Increased sea levels will exacerbate the challenges that already exist in the neighborhood posed by rising daily high and low tides, extreme storm surges and associated flooding events. Our coastal neighborhoods will be at severe risk of damage if we do not take action now.
Worst-Case Scenario Hurricane Inundation Category 1: 74-95 mph winds Category 2: 96-110 mph winds Category 3: 111-129 mph winds Category 4: 130-156 mph winds Storm surge projections for Category 1 - 4 hurricanes. Does not include projected sea level rise.
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Sources: NOAA & USACE
SEA LEVEL RISE IS ACCELERATING AND HAS PERMANENT IMPLICATIONS FOR THE LONG-TERM PRESERVATION OF THE HISTORIC FABRIC OF THE POINT NEIGHBORHOOD